Somalia win U-17 title

_{The Somalia U-17 national team have made history by winning the CECAFA Zonal U-17 title.}

_{Somalia defeated South Sudan 3-1 in the final of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup pf Nations (AFCON) 2023 for the CECAFA Zone played on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.}

_{Abdihafid Mohamed Abdi gave Somalia an early lead after seven minutes. But a hard fighting South Sudan team made it 1-1 after 48 minutes with Ajo Minari Alex Lomoro netting the goal.}

_{But the Somalia team that has seen off the 2020 CECAFA Zonal champions Uganda added two more goals through Abdirahin Mohamed Dahir.}

_{Nur Mohamed Amin, the Somalia coach said his team has played well and deserved to win. “I am proud of my players who did what I asked them to do,” said a happy Amin.}

_{Somali Football Federation Acting President Ali Abdi Mohamed said winning this title means a lot to their country. “We are very proud of our team and this win will open many other doors towards football development in the country,” added Mohamed.}

_{Bilal Felix Komoyangi, the South Sudan coach said although they lost the final, qualifying for the U-17 AFCON which they achieved was their main}

_{In the play-off match Tanzania defeated a 10-man Uganda Cubs team 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Substitute Farouk Lubega put Uganda ahead at the stroke of half time.}

_{But after the interval the goal scorer for Uganda Lubega was sent-off, and Tanzania leveled matters through Ally Omar. The Tanzanian team converted all their four penalties, while the Tanzania’s goalkeeper Alexander Mwakapambika saved two spot kicks to help his team finish third.}

_{Souleiman Hassan Waberi, CAF Third Vice President and the CECAFA President Wallace Karia also graced the final and the awards ceremony. The other Member Association Presidents who attended the final include;  Isayas Jira (Ethiopia), Abraham Esayas (Eritrea) and Alexandre Muyenge (Burundi).}